How to prevent corrupted files...

David mailed me today, that his customers sometimes got corrupted files after download. This is, what he found out:

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Its me again. Some of my customers are getting a file corrupt error when they download my files because they have to turn off the power saver options so their hard drive does not shut down during download and there is no interruption of download. I usually mail them an email explaining how to fix it and there is no problem.

I am hoping a note can be added asking customers to turn of power saving options and screensavers during downloading larger files.

I think the customers will find this too be a great service.

and right he is, it should be placed here AND in the download code mails and the page!

working on it!

puzzler

I just uploaded my files to tradebit and decided to try and purchase one to see how the process worked. I made it all the way to the download page successfully but when I listened to the file I downloaded it was corrupted...it was hissy and sounded terribly and I could not hear what was being said. I checked the original file and it is not like this.

The download took about a minute and my computer did not go to power saving mode. What is going on?

There must went something else wrong. We do not touch the files or modify them without you demanding it. The original file should have went through the process without modification. Maybe you accidentally bought a preview?

Both files should have the same file length...

Ralf

I had 3 customers who complained of this problem, in fact one of them even reversed the transaction.

The last time it happened I decided to verify and download the file myself (in the Edit page you can download your own file). The customer's complaint was correct, it was corrupted because file size was different.

It happens during upload and here's why (this is only from my own experience):

1. During bulk uploads a file may fail to transfer completely but the FTP software may not issue sufficient warning or maybe I failed to notice the warning.

How to prevent: In the Edit page always check the file size. It's a bit smaller than that shown in windows explorer, for example Tradebit will show 11.6517MB but on explorer it's 11.932MB or about 2.3% difference. I still haven't figured out if it applies to all files but it may vary from one OS to another. I suggest take random samples from your uploads and make your own estimates.

2. During publishing I sometimes select a file which is uploading. What happens is that the file, though incomplete will be moved to another directory.

How to prevent: The best way is to start publishing only when all uploads are done. This way you can be sure you are not publishing an incomplete file or to put it another way DO NOT UPLOAD AND PUBLISH AT THE SAME TIME. (sorry for the caps lock)

Another way if you can't avoid publishing and uploading at the same time is to verify which file is done uploading.

And last, avoid the first file in the dropdown list. Usually it's the one uploading.


Hope this helps.